About You #8

Hopefully your 2014 is already off to a great start! We celebrated on New Year’s Eve by falling asleep at 11:30. Pretty exciting stuff. That said, we’re very excited for the new year and will be sharing our January 2014 budget soon. But we wanted to kick off the new year right by getting to know you guys a little bit better. We’ve had some new faces on this blog as of late, and it’s time for you to give a little to this relationship.

But before we make you spill the beans, here are a couple of our most recent articles on AOL’s DailyFinance site, if you’re interested:

Johnny

Probably the island on Castaway. With Wilson.

“Your ego’s writing checks your body can’t cash.” –Top Gun OR “I used to be legit. I was too legit. I was too legit to quit. but now I’m not legit. I’m unlegit. And for that reason, I must quit.” –Hot Rod

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43 Comments

If you could be one place right now, where would it be? New York City…it’s been way too long since I’ve been…one of my favorite places on earth!
What’s your favorite movie quote? “Sticking a feather up your butt does not make you a chicken” – Tyler Durden Fight Club
What was the best financial tip or lesson you learned in 2013? Be a month ahead and don’t overthink EVERY expense. Being a month ahead has made budgeting make sense to me. I could not figure out how to budget on an irregular income. Since I’m working with last months income I can make the decision each month of what to spend. I also was bogged down tracking very expense. Now I just have an envelope for groceries. I don’t track each grocery purchase. When the money is gone it’s gone. If there’s leftover the next month I put it towards stockpiling! Easy Peasy (learned that from your miscellaneous category, thank you!)
Choose one: Snuggie or Pajama Jeans? Neither…I’m a footie pj kind of girl. I would totally love to wear the same comfy pjs my kids get to wear! Somewhere along the way the stores realized they could charge for women’s pajama pieces separately…this is a category of budget that never gets looked at!
How did you find/hear about OFB? LONG ago…I think from a comment that was amusing on another blog and it caught my attention!

Tyler Durden!!!! Best movie ever. And I love your financial tip/lesson of 2013. Especially stockpiling when there’s a little leftover. We’ve been bad with not spending in those months and then end up splurging and going over in other months. And while it might all work itself out, I’d much rather stick to the right numbers every month consistently.

1) I would love to be in the Virgin Islands somewhere going back and forth between reading on the beach and swimming in the ocean!
2) “I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.”-Forrest Gump
3) This may seem like a no brainer, but always putting money into my savings no matter the paycheck size. Even if only $25 can go into savings that pay period, it’s better than $0!
4) SNUGGIE.
5) I commented on a guest post that you did for Roo, and you responded back to me, and then the relationship just blossomed 😮

1) I’m with Joanna. Island, sun, sunscreen, book. Paradise!
2) Too many to write.
3) Started to refocus on keeping a budget. Lesson wasn’t learned the hard way thankfully, but I saw myself going in a bad direction and stopped. It’s about the little decisions. They add up.
4) Snuggie. Proud owner & user. (Ok, there’s a little shame there, but it’s comfortable & useful.)
5) I don’t remember. Link from another blog maybe? I’ve been reading nearly the whole time you’ve been blogging though I didn’t realize you were a new blog for quite some time. You do a great job!

Oh no! I can’t handle your Target-hating! I guess that I don’t consider it to be a battle of wills, I actually find it very easy to go there and only buy what I intended to buy. More importantly, in my area it has the cheapest groceries, so it really is a very good financial decision to go there!

There’s only hatred there because we both love it too much. Walmart’s our go-to grocer and they usually beat Target, in both price and quality. And we usually don’t walk out of Walmart with new clothes, houseware, and other awesome Target stuff that kills our budget.

If you could be one place right now, where would it be? Somewhere warm with a beach – maybe Sydney? I LOVE Australia!

What’s your favorite movie quote? Dunno
What was the best financial tip or lesson you learned in 2013? Don’t eat your money. Confession Thursday – I spent $12,200 on food, according to Mint. I could blame it on mis-categorization, but it’s correct, I check every transaction. OUCH. Can you believe I’m still a size 6? Me either.

1. Innsbruck, Austria… it was amazing in the summer and I bet it is even nice with snow on the Alps
2. ” Treguna mekoides trecorum satis dee” – Miss Price – Bedknobs and Broomsticks,
3. Don’t bet against the Fed… you will probably lose
4. I guess the snuggie since I find it less creepy
5. I don’t know how I fell down this rabbit hole, but it is turning out ok.

3. Color me intrigued. It sounds like there’s a decent story behind this.
5. Everything is ok now. But once you find out this whole site is a massive NSA front and we’re actually watching you through your webcam, you’ll probably regret it.

1. Somewhere warm and sunny (both of which it is NOT here in Michigan!)
2. “I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite.” -Elf
3. I started using Dave Ramsey’s snowball method for debt payoff
4. Pajamas
5. Not a clue!

2. You would choose TMNT. Because you just know what’s cool.
5. What you failed to include was the part of the conversation where I said, “So you want to hold our hands for the next year and let us steal all of your brains?”

1.If you could be one place right now, where would it be? At home in my bed. Is that too much to ask?!
2.What’s your favorite movie quote? “It’s meeee… Jessica. I’m in heree” – From The Hot Chick. It’s my name so of course I love the quote.
3.What was the best financial tip or lesson you learned in 2013? 401k’s are awesome and you really don’t know the money is missing from your check.
4.Choose one: Snuggie or Pajama Jeans? Snuggie all the way!
5.How did you find/hear about OFB? You were featured or mentioned or something on Roo’s (Neon Fresh) page. It was a long time ago. So glad I checked out OFB!

1. In a beautiful luxury Parisian hotel room staring at the view of the Eiffel Tower with my love., piping hot croissant in each hand.
2. “Sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks”- Forrest Gump
3. Definitely learned that there has to be room in the budget for guilt-free fun. It can’t all be serious stuff. Paying off debt and saving up is exciting in it’s own way, but it’s a totally different kind of long-term excitement that doesn’t always feel like a good time. It’s sort of like how veggies make you feel good as a person but sometimes you gotta just gotta order a pizza, put on your fat pants, break out the Ranch dressing and enjoy it.
4. Never owned either but I’ve been tempted by Le Snuggie.
5. Miss Roo at Neon Fresh. Thanks boo! These guys rock!

1) If you could be one place right now, where would it be? At home and in bed with my baby girl! It took me 90 minutes to get to work and I am sure it will take me just as long to get home
2) What’s your favorite movie quote? “You had me at hello” ~Jerry Maguire~
3)What was the best financial tip or lesson you learned in 2013? Cash is king!
4)Choose one: Snuggie or Pajama Jeans? I haven’t owned either of them but I really like the pajama jeans concept
5) How did you find/hear about OFB? I think I found it through a link on another site but I can’t remember. We just recently had a baby girl (6 months) and I became hooked on your site from the minute I found it! Thank you!!!

1. Ugh, that’s an awful commute. I’m sorry. Hopefully you have something worthwhile to keep you entertained like an audio book or something.
4. Maybe 2014 will make you the proud owner of comfort and style.

1. Disney World
2. Can’t think of one. Just saw Frozen with my 5 year old so all I can think is “Do you want to build a snowman?” watch it on youtube, you’ll be singing it all day.
3. Using the evelope system for groceries and dining out. We were spending so much more than we imagined.
4. Pajama jeans. I have a snuggie and it never gets used.
5. Can’t remember. Maybe a link from another site.

2. Oh trust me. I’ve heard my nieces singing every line of every Frozen song for the last month. I’ve pretty much seen the movie without seeing it.
3. Oooo, I like that! Enveloping for just that category. We might have to give that a try, too, because we are in the same boat as you once were.

1. Ocean Isle Beach, in the dead of summer, on the boat with a solo cup.
2. I’m horrible at movie quotes…can barely remember the movies
3. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and go for what you want. After purchasing a home in 2010 and then having to move suddenly, my husband and I have been renting homes we do not love for the last 2 years. We lease our house out in Wilmington and finally purchased again in Raleigh. While our finances can sometimes be confusing we still make it…and making it, is so worth it. I love our new home!
4. Snuggie…Pajama Jeans looks too much like letting yourself go.
5. I read a lot of personal finance articles for work. I’m sure I just googled personal finance blogs (maybe?)

If you could be one place right now, where would it be?
Here (Fayetteville, AR), but in the spring. I might be cheating on this question, but I get over winter really quickly after the first of the year, when my thoughts turn to spring green and planting tomato plants!
What’s your favorite movie quote?
I have no idea. I’ll probably think of a really good one after I click “post comment”.
What was the best financial tip or lesson you learned in 2013?
I guess this counts as a “tip” I came across — I signed up with UPromise, which is an online shopping portal that links to thousands of retailers (including several of my favorites, such as Target) and offers 1-15% back on purchases I make, which then is set aside in an “account” that I can transfer directly towards balances on my student loans (through Sallie Mae). They also have a credit card that provides an additional 5% back, but right now we’re trying to get OUT of debt, not add to it, so I haven’t signed up. It’s just easier all around this way. And we are being extremely careful to not buy things we wouldn’t otherwise, and to only buy when we won’t have to pay shipping (because we may as well just go to the store then and save more than the % back we’re getting).
Choose one: Snuggie or Pajama Jeans?
Snuggie.
How did you find/hear about OFB?
A shout-out on Blogging Away Debt.

1. We hear ya loud and clear. We’ve been tired of cold since it dropped below 50 (which was October out here).
3. Very cool. We’ve heard really good things about UPromise and love the idea. We just need to get around to giving it a test run.

1.If you could be one place right now, where would it be?
A beach in the Bahamas
2.What’s your favorite movie quote?
Since I saw Shawshank Redemption recently: I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head.- Red
3.What was the best financial tip or lesson you learned in 2013?
My money ‘habitude’ and looking up free things to do around town has been so much fun
4.Choose one: Snuggie or Pajama Jeans?
Pajama jeans because if you got it, flaunt it. Just about everyone can have a snuggie and not leave to go in public.
5.How did you find/hear about OFB?
I think your blog was mentioned in an article (in a magaizne or another blog maybe?) I’m just glad I found OFB!

4. But in the commercial they show the whole family at the ball game wearing their Snuggies? You mean people probably thought I was weird all those times I wore mine to the mall?!
5. Glad you found it/us/whatever, too!

1. Tonga (that’s in the South Pacific). We used to live there and it was awesome.
2. “I brought you flours.” Stranger than Fiction.
3. To be mindful of how I’m spending. What I spend my money on can really demonstrate my values, so I’m trying to be better at buying fair trade or second hand.
4. Ummmm….. This must be an American thing. We don’t have either of them in Australia so whatever is more comfy, I’ll go with that!
5. A link to a link to a comment to a link… Don’t remember!

1) I think I just want to be right here now… Weird.
2) “Life is pain, princess. Anybody who says differently is selling you something.”- The Princess Bride
3) Don’t waste food! Just making sure to eat all of the food in the fridge before buying more has saved us loads of money. It sounds so stupid, but it has really helped our budget.
4) I really wanted to like Pajama Jeans, but then I saw a lady wearing them- and she definitely looked like she was wearing pajamas to the grocery store. So I will go with a Snuggie.
5) I do not recall. I am assuming there was hypnotism and brainwashing involved.

3. We can definitely do better at this. Thanks for the reminder.
4. Haha. I’ve never actually seen them in public, but my reaction would likely be the exact same.
5, Definitely, yes. It’s still our number one source of traffic. Now forget everything I just said. **COMMENCE BRAIN-ERASE SEQUENCE**

1. On the golf course. I’m not good at it, but there’s something exciting about trying to conquer the course. It’s a battle of wills between your mind and your body – plus it’s outside and usually Sunny.

2. “Do you like apples?? Well, I got a number – How do ya Like Dem APPLES!!” – Good Will Hunting

3. Tough to say – I’d say just being on the same page with your significant other and having a plan can make money discussions go smoother. Since our son was born in February, its led to increased scrutiny of our budget and discussions on goals down the road – definitely for the better.

4. I have no idea what Pajama Jeans (I’m 30) are, so I’ll say Snuggie, although I’ve worn one.

5. I don’t remember. I just searched through PF Blogs and enjoyed your story and how close our first borns are (your daughter is one month older).

1. Man, nothing better. Such a great and frustrating game.
3. Our daughter’s birth did the same to us. It’s one of those “refiner’s fire” type moment in life. It’s crazy to look back on the last year and look at how different every aspect of our lives is. I’m sure you can relate.

1. At my best friend’s house visiting before she goes back to school and does nothing but homework and studying.
2. “He’d make a very handsome throw rug. And just think, whenever he gets dirty you can take him out and beat him.” -Zazu (The Lion King)
3. Our budget.
4. Snuggie.
5. Probably from another PF blog.

2. Haha. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen any of those movies.
3. That’s awesome. On both counts. I really want to do a Bear Grylles’ survival-type retreat to some remote place. I think it’d help give me a better perspective on our current inflated food budget. Congrats x1000 (or a six-figure number) on the mortgage!

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Hey, stranger! We’re Joanna and Johnny (and Sally). You can guess who's who. We’ll show you that normal people can figure this money stuff out by sharing our own journey. Because believe us — if we can figure this crap out, anyone can. And it all starts with a budget.

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